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Author: Fernando Fernandez

Is olive oil a vegetable oil?

What are vegetable oils?

Before answering the question, ‘is olive oil a vegetable oil?’, I would like to delve into the criteria for determining whether or not an oil is a vegetable oil. Broadly speaking, vegetable oils are oils that are extracted from seeds or fruits composed mainly of unsaturated fatty acids. For example, oils that come from sunflower seeds or from nuts fall within this classification.

What are the characteristics of vegetable oils?

Vegetable oils are characterized by being liquid at room temperature, rich in unsaturated fatty acids (for example, omega 3, 6 and 9), by lowering levels of bad cholesterol, and by their anti-inflammatory nature.

So, is olive oil a vegetable oil?

Olive oil comes from olives, which have a high content of unsaturated fatty acids. So if a vegetable oil is characterized by coming from fruits with a high content of fatty acids, the answer is yes, olive oil is a vegetable oil. It is also a liquid oil at room temperature, it lowers cholesterol levels, and it acts as an anti-inflammatory.

For all these reasons, olive oil is not only part of the group of vegetable oils, it is also one of the most representative oils of this group.

*Source: NCBI

Vinegar is good for your health, do you want to know why?

Do you know why vinegar is good for you?

It’s true that the nutritious properties of vinegar are not as extensive as those of other foods. Vinegar is good for your health and, in my opinion, it is a very interesting ingredient because it can be used in a variety of ways. Today I want to share the properties of white vinegar with you, along with a few dishes that you can add it to.

What is vinegar good for?

Vinegar consumption reduces type 2 diabetes, as it reduces blood sugar levels. Furthermore, as an antimicrobial it helps the body cleanse itself of potential pathogens. It is also an antioxidant, which means it slows down the aging process in the body’s cells. And that’s not all: another reason vinegar is good for your health is that it considerably improves digestion as it eliminates acidity and possible reflux after a large meal.

The best dishes made with vinegar

Carbonell white vinegar is my favorite option for cooking. For example, gazpacho, delicious anchovies in vinegar, or a well-dressed salad are an excellent choice for a summer day. You can even use it in desserts: delicious sliced strawberries dusted with sugar and a touch of vinegar are the perfect way to end lunch.

As you can see, white vinegar is very good for your health and it is the perfect condiment for your summer dishes. Enjoy this natural antimicrobial in the most delicious ways and experiment with different dishes to add an extra healthy element to your balanced diet.

How big can olive trees grow?

Olive trees

I was walking through the countryside surrounded by olive trees, taking in their aroma and imagining how they grow, little by little, to produce the fruits that I enjoy so much. Then I started thinking about how little we know about the raw ingredients of a lot of the foods we eat. So I’ve decided to share with you a little about how olive trees grow, these trees that give us so much nourishment.

How do olive trees grow?

As you know, there are numerous varieties of olive tree in Spain, and each one grows at a different rate. There are olive trees that take three years to bear their first fruits, and others that need up to twelve years. So if you ever decide to grow an olive tree, the most important thing is to cultivate patience.

You should also keep in mind that not all olive trees can grow in the same type of soil or climate. That’s why, when growing olive trees, their different varieties and characteristics must be taken into account so that they grow in the best possible conditions.

Even so, on average, an olive tree can reach a height of over five feet after five years.

Top quality olive trees in Spain

The most abundant olive trees in Spain are those producing Picual olives (nearly 900,000 hectares), which start to give olives three years after being planted. The greater part of the trees yielding this variety are in Jaén, renowned for its olive oil production. It is very easy to grow these olive trees, which can bear colder climates and provide a high, consistent production.

The one thing that stands out from the oil obtained from Picual olives is the high oleic content and its stability.

Another characteristic olive tree in Spain is the Arbequina variety, well represented in Catalonia. There are currently over 70,000 hectares of this type of olive tree.

Olives of the Arbequina variety ripen early. Extra virgin olive oil made from this variety has a mild, sweet, delicate flavor.

Last of all we must speak of the Hojiblanca variety. Córdoba is the province with the highest number of hectares dedicated to these olive trees (ca. 265,000), but they are also found in Seville and Granada.

If the land where you live is arid, you will find it easy to cultivate this variety of olive tree, which is resistant to cold. Just as with Arbequina olives, the extra virgin olive oil from Hojiblanca olives is sweet in flavor.

I recommend that you try Carbonell Arbequina 100%, Carbonell Picual 100% and Carbonell Hojiblanca 100% extra virgin olive oils. Pair different dishes with them and savor their distinct flavors. And, if you wish to grow your own olive tree, remember before planting it that the variety of tree you choose will have its own needs.

Can you cook with extra virgin olive oil?

Extra virgin olive oil for cooking.

Some people falsely believe that you can’t cook with extra virgin olive oil, because it is not reliable when heated. It is true that when many oils reach high temperatures, they can be harmful to health. But that is not the case with extra virgin olive oil.

In reality, cooking with this oil is ideal because, since it remains stable despite temperature changes, it retains its nutritional properties, namely vitamin E and polyphenols, which act as fantastic natural antioxidants and help prevent cardiovascular diseases.

What dishes can you cook with extra virgin olive oil?

Any dish you can imagine can be cooked with extra virgin olive oil. However, since you are going to use such a delicious oil as Carbonell extra virgin olive oil, I recommend that you make dishes that don’t contain too many condiments so as not to saturate them with flavor.

A drizzle of oil in the pan, a few cloves of garlic and – if you like it spicy – cayenne pepper make a good base for steaks, prawns, or fish. The oil will give it a special flavor, and adding another one or two aromas to season it can produce an exquisite result in relatively easy and everyday dishes.

What I’d like to share with you is that not only can you cook with extra virgin olive oil, but it’s also an absolute must to do so. Whether for the flavor that it adds to dishes, or for its health benefits, it is a must-have item in your kitchen.

Fast, easy and nutritious recipes for kids.

Add a touch of fun to your dishes and your kitchen with these recipes for kids

With the arrival of summer, we like to eat healthily and we want the kids to have fun doing it. That’s why today I’d like to suggest some kids recipes that are simple, fun, fresh, and healthy. So, get ready! It’s time to eat delicious food while having a good time.

A sandwich that does justice

To make a police sandwich, all you need is:

Multigrain bread.

Some slices of cheese.

One cherry tomato.

A piece of cucumber.

Carbonell extra virgin olive oil.

Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil on the bread and place a slice of cheese on top. Trim both with a knife to make the shape of a car. If possible, reuse the excess bread for the front and back of the car. You will also need another two circles to make the wheels. Cut half the cherry tomato into slices and place two slices on the wheels, place another on top of the car to make the roof light, and use the last slice for the tail light of the car.

Add two small strips of tomato for the lower part of the windows, and make the car windows using two square slices of cucumber. The last thing you need to add is a small rectangle at the front of the car, and some strips of cheese around the roof light. And voilà! We now have an edible police car!

Submarine toast

This healthy and fun toast is one of the star recipes for kids. To make it, you’ll need:

A slice of bread.

Carbonell extra virgin olive oil.

A slice of cheese.

A slice of turkey.

A piece of carrot.

Half a tomato.

Three Carbonell olives.

Mayonnaise.

Arugula.

Place the bread on your chopping board, drizzle with olive oil and then place the cheese on top. Trim it using a knife to make an oval or round shape. Then, cut a quarter of the slice of turkey to make the bridge. Place two slices of carrot and another two of tomato to make the windows. Use another two slices of tomato to make the rear part, and make the submarine propeller using a fine strip of cheese. Make the periscope using the carrot, tomato, and cheese.

Lastly, to decorate this kids recipe, add the sliced olives along the length of the submarine and use two small pieces of tomato to make fish, add the arugula to the lower part of the plate to make seaweed, spread the mayonnaise under the slice of turkey, and add a few dots on the plate to represent oxygen bubbles. And now… Time to eat under the sea!

An amusing fried egg

Fried egg with extra virgin olive oil is a very healthy option and one of the most handy fast meals for kids. Ingredients:

One egg.

Carbonell extra virgin olive oil.

Salt to taste.

A slice of bread.

A small piece of carrot.

Sesame seeds.

Chop three disks of carrots, cutting two of them into the shape of chicken legs and the third into a triangle to make the beak. Then, fry the egg in a frying pan and, while it is cooking, toast the bread. Once this is done, put the bread, egg, beak, and legs together to make the chicken. The last thing to add is the eyes – two sesame seeds. You can add a little parsley to serve.

As you can see, these three recipes are great for summer. In fact, once you’ve sliced and chopped up the ingredients I’ve suggested, your kids can help you create the dishes, allowing you to spend some quality time together. You can also try out different shapes to create more fun and different recipes for kids.

What is the best oil for frying?

Your favorite fried dishes with the best oil

A lot of people ask me what the best oil for frying is, and I tell them without a moment’s hesitation: olive oil. You probably associate this oil with raw uses, such as salad dressings and cold dishes. However, it’s also ideal for cooking and frying, and it’s time everyone knew.

What should an oil for frying be like?

You may already know this, but many oils become destabilized when they reach high temperatures. This means that they lose their nutritional value, and they can even become toxic. That’s why it’s extremely important that the oil you use for frying is very stable. This way, you get all its nutritional properties, great health benefits and a delicious flavor in your recipes.

Extra virgin olive oil is a very stable oil. It’s so stable that it’s the best oil for frying: even at high temperatures it retains all of its nutritional properties, which are the healthiest of all the oils. It’s also an oil which increases in volume when heated, so you don’t have to use too much when frying.

The flavor of your dishes

I start to smile when I think of that crispy and delicious touch that my grandmother used to give her croquettes. Perfectly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, with wonderful flavorsome fillings: cod, mushroom, stewed meat… Nobody made croquettes like her.

The secret was in her use of the best oil for frying – Carbonell 0.4 olive oil – because, thanks to its density, it doesn’t saturate the food, instead leaving it perfectly crispy. This means it doesn’t dominate the flavor either, it simply adds the perfect touch, preventing the flavor of whatever is being fried – fish, potatoes, croquettes – from fading

In short, a great trick is to use Carbonell extra olive oil. It’s the perfect option for frying due to its stability, nutritional properties, and density, as well as the touch of flavor that it gives your dishes, leaving them crispy and delicious.

High cholesterol in children and how to treat it.

Children with high cholesterol

That’s right, although you probably associate high cholesterol with adults who eat a lot of meat or who are very stressed, high cholesterol in children also exists. The good news is that with a balanced diet cholesterol can be reduced to healthy levels.

What causes high cholesterol in children?

This condition can occur for a variety of reasons. The best known reason is congenital: when a parent has high cholesterol, his or her children may genetically have high cholesterol too.

Other reasons for finding high cholesterol in children include being overweight, having an unhealthy diet, or suffering from kidney or liver conditions, diabetes or hypothyroidism, among others.

How can high cholesterol be reduced?

As I mentioned before, a balanced diet is the cornerstone of good health. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is rich in omega 3, element that helps to reduce cholesterol. Two spoonfuls of extra virgin olive oil a day are recommended for your children, an easy way to keep cholesterol under control.

If you want to reduce high cholesterol in children you can prepare them a delicious salad with the right amount of extra virgin olive oil. You can also make juices with olive oil so that they drink it easily while enjoying the sweet flavor of the fruit you want to them to have.

*Source: NCBI

Original ideas for a fun family vacation

Have fun as a family with these vacation activities

The longest vacation period of the year is nearly here and, let’s admit it, we are so immersed in rou-tine that when we have free time we’re not really sure what to do with it, and this is even more true when it comes to family vacations. The activities that I would like to show you could be fantastic options for having fun with your loved ones, no matter how old they are.

Ideas for a fun family vacation

1. Move from one pine tree to the next. This is a gymkhana in the forest. The circuit consists of hanging wooden bridges between trees, ropes for climbing up to the top, zip-line descents, mov-ing bridges…. It is a super fun adventure in the midst of privileged natural surroundings.

2. Build a little bird house. If you want your children to have fun doing handicrafts and encourage them to cherish nature and animals, this will surely be a favorite. You will need some plywood, special glue, some nails and watercolors. It is advisable for an adult to actually assemble the house, while the kids can paint the house with watercolors to make it more appealing to the eye.

3. Another option is to do some everyday activities together, such as cooking. Choosing a different recipe to make together, combined with great background music, can be a very enjoyable expe-rience. After all, happiness can be found in the simplest of moments.

These are the ideas that come to mind when I think of my best memories from family vacations. There are of course lots of other activities, it’s just a matter of letting your imagination run wild to make any moment a great moment so that you can share and create unforgettable memories together.

Where to eat the best olives in Spain.

Varieties of olives in Spain

The wide range of olive trees that we have in Spain allows us to obtain many different types of olive. I believe it is very important to know what our own land has to offer. That’s why I want to tell you where to find the most typical Spanish table olives and a little about them, so that you can learn to recognize them by their shape, size, and flavor.

When is an olive considered to be a table olive?

For an olive to be used as a table olive, it should have the following characteristics:

– A fine skin so that it is smooth when chewed.

– Easy to pit.

– A good pulp-stone ratio.

– And a medium fat content.

Spanish olives: variety in shape, color and flavor.

The most popular table olives in Spain are Manzanilla, Manzanilla Cacereña, Gordal, and Hojiblanca olives.

The Manzanilla olive comes from Seville, although it is now also grown in Huelva and Badajoz. In Seville it is harvested when still green, whereas in Extremadura it is harvested once it has turned black; this is called Manzanilla Cacereña. It has a round and oval shape. The flavor of these Spanish olives is mild and delicious, and their high quality makes them the most sought-after olive both nationally and internationally.

The Gordal olive is another olive from Seville. It is prized for its fleshiness and its most distinctive characteristic is its large size. It is harvested when still green and can often be found in pickles. It has an ovoid shape that is somewhat asymmetrical. These olives are bitter, but their flavor is usually softened with water and sometimes even lye.

The Hojiblanca variety of Spanish olive can be found primarily in Córdoba and Málaga, but it is also found in Seville and Granada. It has a symmetrical, ovoid shape and is medium to large in size. The olives are black, usually due to industrial oxidation. They also have a mild and delicious flavor of fruit and bitter almond, with the aroma of freshly cut grass.

You’ve probably tried these olives on more than one occasion, but from now on you’ll be able to start distinguishing them by their colors, flavors, and sizes. Enjoy this delicious appetizer in the best company.

Great ideas to help the environment from home

Help the environment from home

Over the course of our day, we do little things that harm to the planet. Some are so automatic we don’t even realize how much damage they can do to the atmosphere. It’s time to change some of these habits to help the environment, and that’s why we want to share a few actions that will help you improve the world we live in.

Four ideas for protecting the environment

A tip we sometimes overlook is to make the most of natural light and not turn on lights too early. It is best to use energy-saving light bulbs at home. Another way to save energy is to turn off your ceramic stovetop—if you have one—slightly before the food is done. Ceramic stovetops continue giving off heat after they have been turned off, so you can use this heat to finish cooking without having to use more energy.

Set the table with cloth napkins instead of paper napkins. As well as adding a touch of elegance to your dinners, you will reduce unnecessary paper waste. This helps the environment because you will be reducing deforestation.

Take your own cloth shopping bag to the supermarket and market. There are even specific bags so that you don’t have to use plastic in the produce section. Always taking these bags with you is a major step toward reducing plastic waste.

Finally, if you can choose between buying a product in plastic packaging or the same product in glass packaging, remember to always choose glass.

As you can see, these ideas to help the environment are very simple to put into practice, yet they can have a huge global impact. If I do my small part, you do yours, and so does everyone else, we can create a healthier world.